Marking tape measure

ABSTRACT

A marking device for making layout marks an surfaces such as boards, panels, or walls including a tape measure with a plurality of holes disposed along its length is disclosed. The device also contains a reel for dispensing a chalk line wherein the chalk line is positioned over the tape measure. The chalk line may be tensioned and snapped to transfer chalk through the holes, thereby providing marks at predetermined intervals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 60/451,359 entitled “Marking Tape Measure” by Gary Pritchardfiled Feb. 27, 2003, the entire content of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein for all it discloses and teaches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to measuring devices and specifically tomeasuring devices capable of making markings.

2. Description of the Background

Framers and construction workers typically have to measure and markboards and panels during the layout and construction of buildings.Typically, the markings for building studs may occur every sixteen ortwenty-four inches. The markings are routinely laid out by extending atape measure and marking at periodic intervals with a pencil. The taskof marking boards and panels is time consuming, as it requirestraversing the entire length of a board to make the required marks.

For example, in the case where the top of an unfinished wall is to bemarked, the framer may have to move a ladder every three or four feetalong the wall in order to make the required layout marks to attachroofing trusses or the like. Every few feet, the framer may have to setup a ladder, climb the ladder, make the few marks that are within arm'sreach, descend the ladder, move the ladder, and repeat the process.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a system and method forcreating markings on surfaces, such as boards, panels, or walls atspecific intervals in a fast and efficient manner. It would further beadvantageous if the system and method were compact, portable, and easyto use in difficult places.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of theprior art by providing a system and method for placing marks on surfacesincluding boards, panels, or walls in specific intervals in a singleoperation. A tape measure and chalk line dispenser allows thesimultaneous extension of a measuring tape and chalk line. The measuringtape has a plurality of holes disposed along the tape at the specificintervals for marking. The chalk line is disposed above the tape and istightened and snapped to create chalk marks through the holes and ontothe board or panel. The tape and chalk line may then be rewound.

The tape may have a series of offset holes near the end of the tape thatmay allow a carpenter to offset the tape and thus the markings by aspecific interval. Such offsets may be helpful in certain situations.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a device for making atleast one mark comprising: a length of tape having at least one holedisposed along the length at a predetermined location; a line disposedalong the length such that at least a portion of the line spans the atleast one hole; and a marking medium attached to the line.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a device formarking a plurality of marks comprising: means for masking having aplurality of holes disposed along the length of the means for masking atpredetermined intervals; and means for dispensing a marking mediumdisposed along the length of the means for masking and furtherpositioned such that at least a portion of the marking medium passesthrough the plurality of the holes.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method formaking at least one mark on a surface comprising: extending a tapehaving at least one hole over the surface; spanning the at least onehole with a marking line having a marking medium; withdrawing themarking line from the tape; allowing the marking line to snap onto thetape such that at least some of the marking medium passes through the atleast one hole onto the surface.

The advantages of the present invention are that markings at specificintervals may be made with one motion. Further, the markings may be madefrom one end of the board without requiring traversing the length of theboard to make a mark at every interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a partial cut away side view illustration of an embodiment ofthe present invention of a marking apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partial cut away front view illustration of the embodimentof a marking apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionof a marking apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present inventionof a marking apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionof a marking apparatus showing the marking components.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionof a marking apparatus having detachable components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a cut away side view of an embodiment 100 of amarking apparatus. The body 102 contains a tape spool 104 and a chalkline spool 106. As the free end tip 108 is pulled away from the body102, the tape 110 and chalk line 112 are extended with the chalk line112 being located over or spanning the tape 110. The tape 110 has aseries of marking holes 114 at predetermined intervals. The tape 110 andchalk line 112 can be simultaneously retracted into the body 102 by therewind crank 116. The chalk line 112 travels through holes in stanchions118 and 120 and tensioner 112.

In operation, one places the tip 108 of the device over the edge of asurface to be marked, then extends the tape 110 and chalk line 112simultaneously along the length to be marked. When the tape in themarking apparatus 100 is extended over the length to be marked, the body102 may be placed on top of the surface such that the lower arm 124 ofthe tensioner 112 is pressed against the surface. The tensioner 112forces the chalk line 112 against the tape with the tensioning arm 126.The exposed chalk line 112 is stretched between stanchions 118 and 120with one hand and the chalk line 112 is lifted and quickly releasedagainst the tape 110 with the other hand, allowing the chalk line toreturn to its normal position in a process known as ‘snapping the line.’The chalk dust that is supported on the chalk line 112 transfers throughthe marking holes 114 and make marks on the board at those intervals.

The tape 110 may be a standard metal measuring tape that has markingstypical to commercially available measuring tapes. The tape 110 may beconstructed of steel or other metal, or may be constructed of plastic orother suitable material.

The marking holes 114 may be placed at periodic intervals that may beuseful to those of the building trades. For example, it is common tomark studs and other building components on sixteen or twenty four inchintervals. Thus, the marking holes 114 may be placed at those intervals.In addition, it is often necessary to offset those intervals by astandard amount, such as one half of the width of a stud. Additionaloffset holes may be provided near the tip 108 to offset the markingholes 114. A nail may be placed in the board and one of the offset holesmay be placed over the nail to offset the markings a particulardistance. For example, an offset of three-quarters of an inch may bedesirable for laying out stud placement. A nail may be placed in the endof the board and an offset hole that is three-quarters of an inch fromthe tip 108 may be placed over the nail. Thus, for the entire length ofthe tape, all of the markings can be offset by three quarters of aninch. Other offsets may be accomplished by providing offset holes atpredetermined locations along the tape. In another embodiment, the tape110 may have a series of offset holes through which a nail may beinserted. The nail may then be placed over the edge of a board to offsetthe markings made by the embodiment 100. In still other embodiments, thetip 108 may be movable such that it may be adjusted to differentpositions along the axis of the tape 110 in order to offset the marksmade by the embodiment 100.

The chalk line 112 may be a common string that is stored on a chalk linespool 106. The chalk line spool 106 may be enclosed by a chalkcompartment in which chalk is stored and by which chalk may becomeentrained by the string. In other embodiments, the string may bereplaced by a woven band with a width greater than its thickness thatmay be able to produce marks wider than would be possible with a string.

The marking holes 114 may be small circular holes or may be a speciallyshaped hole that may produce a specially shaped mark. Such shapes mayinclude numerical shapes that may mark the location with a numericaldesignation. In other embodiments, the marking holes 114 may include amark for the edge of a stud or other building member and a second markor designation for the side to which the stud is to be placed. It iscommon for a carpenter to mark a location with a line or crow's footmark and then place an ‘X’ to designate the appropriate side of the linefor the stud. Such marks may be placed by an embodiment of the presentinvention having an ‘X’ shaped hole.

The tensioner 112 operates by rotating about the hinge point 128. As thebody 102 is placed upon a surface, the lower arm 124 causes thetensioner 122 to rotate and slightly stretch the chalk line 112 with thetensioning arm 126. In some embodiments, the amount of tension appliedby the tensioning arm 126 may be sufficient to snap the chalk line 112and effectively place marks along the board. In other embodiments, thecarpenter may push the body 102 against the board and pull the chalkline 112 taught by pulling on the chalk line 112 in the area between thestanchions 118 and 120.

The rewind crank 116 may be used to retract the tape 110 and chalk line112 into the body 102. The rewind crank 116 may be connected to the tapespool 104 and chalk line spool 106 by various gears, pulleys, or othermechanisms such that the tape 110 and chalk line 112 may be retractedsubstantially simultaneously. In other embodiments, a return spring maybe used in place of the rewind crank 116. In such embodiments, the tapespool 104 and chalk line spool 106 may be connected by a mechanism thatallows for the simultaneous retraction of the tape 110 and chalk line112.

FIG. 2 is a partial cut away front view of the embodiment 100 of amarking apparatus. The body 202 has a tape housing 204 and a chalk linehousing 206. The return crank 208 is mounted so that it can retract thechalk line and tape into the body 202. The chalk line 210 is fed throughstanchions 214 and 216 to the tip 212. The wall 218 separates the chalkline housing 206 from the tape housing 204. The chalk line housing 206may have a door into which may poured a quantity of chalk dust. Thechalk dust may then become entrained on the chalk line 210.

Various embodiments may have different mechanisms for handling the chalkdust. For example, wipers and mechanisms of various sorts may beemployed to remove excess chalk dust from the tape or chalk line. Suchmechanisms regulate the amount of chalk that is entrained on the chalkline and to clean the tape during rewind to prohibit chalk dust fromcollecting inside the tape housing 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment 300 of thepresent invention of a marking apparatus. The body 302 contains a tapespool 304 and a string spool 306. A tape locking lever 308 allows thetape to be locked in a particular position. A chalk filling door 310 maybe opened to receive powdered chalk that can be carried on the string314. The free end of the tape 312 may be hooked over the edge of a pieceof wood or other article to be measured or marked. The string end clip316 may be engaged on the post 317 when the device is used as a markinginstrument.

The embodiment 300 may be used as a separate tape measure and stringline. For example, to use the embodiment 300 as a tape measure, thestring end clip 316 may be disengaged from the tape end clip 312 andstored in the string end clip holder 318. The tape may be extended fromthe tape spool 304 by pulling on the tape end clip 312. The tape may bean elongated sheet of metal or plastic and may have graduations, marks,or other indicia for measuring or otherwise indicating distance.Similarly, the tape may be kept in the retracted position and the stringmay be extended to mark or indicate a straight line.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment 400 of thepresent invention of a marking apparatus. The body 402 contains a tapespool 404 and a string spool 406. A tape locking lever 408 may lock thetape in a particular position. A chalk filling door 410 may be opened toreceive powdered chalk or other marking medium that can be carried onthe string 414. The tape end clip 412 has a post 417 that may receivethe string end clip 416.

The embodiment 400 contains a string retract crank 418 that may engagethe string spool 406 to retract the string 414 into the body 402. Insome embodiments, the crank 418 may engage the string spool directly ormay engage the spool by means of gears.

In some embodiments, the tape may be retracted by a spring mechanism. Insome embodiments, the string and the tape may be retractedsimultaneously and collectively by a gear mechanism between the tapespool and the string spool. In other embodiments, the tape and thespring may be retracted separately and using separate devices. Forexample, the tape may be retracted with a spring powered mechanism whilethe string is retracted by a hand crank mechanism. Various retractionmechanisms may be used by those skilled in the art while keeping withinthe spirit and intent of the present invention.

The string 414 may carry chalk or other marking medium and may be usedto transfer the marking medium to an article to be marked. In someinstances, the string may contain powdered chalk, powdered ink, liquidink, or other marking fluid or powder.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment 500 of thepresent invention of a marking apparatus. A measuring tape 502 containsa plurality of apertures 504 at predetermined intervals or otherspacing. The tape clip 506 may be hooked over the edge of an article tomark. A chalk line 5 10 may be placed over the tape 502 by engaging thestring end clip 512 over the post 508 of the tape end clip 506. Thestring 510 is placed directly on top of the tape 502, spanning theapertures 504. When the string 510 is made taught, the chalk line 5 10may be raised and released quickly to transfer the marking mediumcarried by the chalk line 510 through the apertures 504 and onto theitem to be marked. This process is sometimes called ‘snapping a line’ inthe trade.

The apertures 504 may be selected to be of various shapes, sizes, andspacing to indicate various distances or marks as those skilled in theart may desire. For example, for framing houses in the United States, itmay be conventional to mark studs at 16 inches apart. In such a case,the apertures 504 may be spaced 16 inches apart. In some cases, theshape of an aperture 504 may have a special meaning, such as the studside of a mark.

In some cases, the measuring tape 502 may have various marks or indiciafor measuring distance or other functions as desired.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment 600 of the presentinvention of a marking apparatus. A tape body 602 contains a tape 604and a tape locking tab 606. A chalk line body 608 contains a string 610,a string end clip 612, a retraction crank 614, and a chalk filling door616. The chalk line body 608 may removably engage the tape body 602 witha locking/locating feature 618.

The embodiment 600 allows the string line body 608 to be removed andseparately used from the tape body 602, but be recombined in order touse apertures in the tape 604 to mask the chalk line 610 to makeseparate, distinct marks along the length of the tape 604. For example,the chalk line 610 may be used for marking a straight line while thetape measure 602 may be used to measure a certain distance. After suchtime, the chalk line 610 may be reattached to the tape measure 602 andused to mark a plurality of points along a distance.

Various locating and locking mechanisms 618 may be used by those skilledin the art while keeping within the spirit and intent of the presentinvention. For example, the tape measure 602 and the chalk line 610 maysnap together, may lock together using a mechanical linkage, mayslidingly engage each other, or any other type of releasable engagementdevice or mechanism.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, andother modifications and variations may be possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the inventionin various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims beconstrued to include other alternative embodiments of the inventionexcept insofar as limited by the prior art.

1. (canceled) 2-36. (canceled)
 37. A device comprising: a firstcompartment having a first aperture; a retractable tape measure housedin said first compartment, at least a portion of said retractable tapemeasure comprising a first coil located in said first compartment woundin a first direction, said tape measure having a top side comprisingindicia; a second compartment having a second aperture and a thirdaperture; a string adapted to be extended through said second aperture,said string being retained within said second compartment in a secondcoil; a movable door across said third aperture; wherein said secondcompartment is adapted to disperse a marking medium on said string, saidmarking medium being able to be added through said third aperture;wherein said first direction of said first coil and said seconddirection of said second coil are parallel; wherein said second apertureis located proximal to said first aperture such that said secondaperture directs said string to extend above said indicia of saidretractable tape.
 38. The device of claim 37 wherein said firstcompartment is removably connected to said second compartment.
 39. Thedevice of claim 37 further comprising: a hand crank adapted to turn saidsecond coil.
 40. The device of claim 37 further comprising: a lockingmechanism adapted to lock said tape measure.
 41. The device of claim 37further comprising: a spring retraction mechanism adapted to retractsaid tape measure into said first compartment.
 42. The device of claim37 wherein said marking medium comprises chalk.